Roll-about foldable bed



March 13, 1934. F, CANE ROLL- ABOUT FOLDABLE BED Original Filed Feb.1930 IN VEN TOR. GORDON LC'CANE BY a cwwl A TTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 13, 1934 rArEs ROLL-ABOUT FOLDABLE BED Gordon F. Cane, SanFrancisco, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Thorn Thompson,San

Francisco, Calif.

Application February 10, 1930, Serial No. 427,162 Renewed July 24, 193316 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in foldable beds of the typewhich are mounted to swing from horizontal position of use into uprightinoperative position and vice versa, and the present embodiment thereofdeals with a roll-about bed wherein th bed frame is foldably mounted asaforementioned upon a freely movable carriage or truck providing forvariously disposing the bed as desired about a roomor floor space.

More particularly the invention relates to an improved means forfoldably connecting a bed frame with a freely movable carriage or truck,or other support, and therefore an object of the invention is to providesuch a means in which links are arranged and constructed to provide forexceptional ease of operation, strength and stability of the bed, asWell as to insure a safe operation in which all danger of accidental oru nintentional collapsing, tipping, or other derangement of the bed iseffectively reduced, if not prevented.

Another object is to provide a foldable bed of the character describedin which the mounting or connecting means for foldably connecting thebed with its support as aforesaid, provides an advantageouscounter-balancing and compensating action which aids in the operation ofthe bed and prevents such rapid movement as would tend to tip or to tooforcibly collapse or extend the bed structure during movement thereofinto extended or folded positions.

A further object is to provide a bed connecting means of the characterdescribed which is so arranged and permits of such an attachment of thebed to the truck or carriage, that thew eight of the bed is evenly andeffectively distributed and tends to stabilize the structure and toreduce the tendency to collapsing of the bed incident to the applicationof weight to the head end thereof and at all times.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It isto be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawing:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a bed constructed in accordancewith the invention and as when in extended or operative position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the bed shown in raised,folded or inoperative position Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevationof the bed as when in partly extended or folded position, the bed beingapproximately midway of its tWo positions.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation partially in section takensubstantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

The embodiment of this invention shown in detail in the accompanyingdrawing forms a part of a bed of the roll-about type wherein theupendable bed frame 4 having the usual front legs 5 is mounted on afreely movable wheeled truck or carriage 6 and is arranged to be swungfrom extended or operative position as shown in Figure 1 into the foldedor inoperative position shown in Figure 2, and also may be readily movedfrom place to place as desired about a room or other bed supportingsurface while in either position.

In accordance with this invention, the means of connection between thebed frame 4 and truck 6 consists of a plurality of links arranged sothat certain thereof serve as levers and act through the forces set upduring the swinging movement of the bed frame to provide acounterbalancing and compensating and leverage compounding action whichaids in .the movement of the bed in either direction, yet checks suchswift or sudden movement as might cause the structure to tip, collapseor otherwise become deranged. Further, said arrangement is such that theweight of the bed is evenly distributed with relation to the truck, andthe structure is effectively stabilized at all times. These advantagesresult from the construction and arrangement of the said links and thepeculiar relationship of the points of pivotal connections of said linkswith the bed frame and truck respectively, and also the pivotalrelationship of links which are pivoted to one another. As here shown afront link 7 is pivoted at its upper end as at 8 to each side rail 9 ofthe bed frame. Rearwardly of the link 7 on each side rail 9 is a rearlink 10 pivoted thereto as at 11. Each rear link 1c is pivoted at 12 tothe truck at a point close'to the rear end of the truck and by thisarrangement and the fact that the bed pivots of the links 10 are closeto the rear end of the bed frame the weight is distributed to the truckin such manner asto effectively hold it against tipping and accidentalmovement relative to the bed frame. Also, it will be noted that thepivots 11 are over a point near the substantially midway point betweenthe ends of the truck in both positions of the bed and this makes forawell balanced and stable mounting of the bed.

Each front link 7 is pivoted at its inner end as at 14 to one end of alever link 15 which is pivoted approximately centrally of its ends as at16 to the upper end of a link 17 which latter at its lower end ispivoted as at 18 to the truck near a point approximately midway betweenthe ends of the truck. The other end of the lever link 15 is pivoted asat 19 to a point substantially midway of the ends of the adjacent rearlink 1o. There are of course two of the lever links 15 and two links 17,one of each being on each side of the bed as are the front and rearlinks although the drawing in showing side elevations of the beddiscloses the several links on but one side of the bed. a

t will be noted that while the rear links 10 are pivoted directly to thetruck, the truck connecting means for the front links 7 comprises thelever links 15 and the links J. This places the weight of the bed frameon the truck in such a manner as to stabilize the structure and preventmovement of the truck relative to the bed or, in other words, thecollapsing of the structure.

The lever links 15 operate, owing to the arrangement thereof, to connectthe front and rear links with one another and to also connect said frontand rear links through the lin s 17 with the truck near a point midwaybetween the ends of the truck, to effectively counterbalance the bedframe. The forces set up when raising the bed operate through leverlinks to aid in the raising movement and likewise in the lowering of thebed the forces set up operate through said lever links to aid in suchmovement. Also, it will be seen that said levers operate to prevent sucha rapid or forceful movement of the bed as would tend to collapse,derange or damage the structure. Furthermore the lever links, togetherwith the links 17, provide an extra connection of the rear links 10 withthe truck and thereby increase the strength and stability of the bedstructure. It is important to note in this connection that when the bedis in operative position the upper parts of the rear links 10, the leverlinks if: and the links 17 are substantially aligned and that the pivotpoints 11, l9, l6 and 18 also the'pivots 14 are also substantially inline. Owing to this arrangement the jack-knifing or collapsing of thebed incident to placing weight on the head end of the bed, iseffectively prevented.

Preferably the rear links .10 are 'L shaped whereby when the bed isfolded the rear links lie parallel with the bed rails and truck sidesrespectively and therefore provide for a more compact folding. Further,the L shape provides for the disposition of the truck pivots of saidlink at the rear end of the truck while making possible the connectionof the links with the front links with the short lever links 15 and alsomaking possible the location of the bed pivots of the rear link close tothe rear or head end of the bed. Such a disposition of the pivots 11makes it unnecessary for the bed frame to project to any great extentrearwardly beyond the truck, and therefore the truck is better held downand*col lapsing of the bed structure is prevented.

The relative location of the various pivot points is important andcontributes to the efficiency of the bed of this invention. Theconnecting points of the front links with the bed frame are in front ofthe connecting points of the links 17 with the truck when the bed isdown yet are disposed rearward of said truck connecting points when thebed is in up or folded position. This makes for stability, preventstilting or accidental movement of the bed out of upright position andyet permits of an easy starting of the bed movement from eitherposition. The connecting point of the front link with the lever links 15is at all times in front of the connecting point of said lever link withthe truck and said front link moved bodily upward and rearward andbodily downward and rearward in an are on the folding and extensionmovements of the bed. The lower ends of the front links in thus movingdownward and rearward and towards the center of the truck when the bedis lowered, are disposed close to and will engage the truck to act as asafety stop to prevent downward movement of the bed below a horizontalposition as might take place if the front legs 5 are deranged.

It should be further noted that by having the bed pivots of the frontand rear links near the rear end of the bed, the leverage is increasedand an easier swing of the bed into and out of operative position isprovided for. Also this disposes the bed and truck in such relativeposition that collapsing or jack-knifing is prevented. The tiltingtendency which might be provided bythe increased leverage aforementionedis compensated for by the counterbalancing action of the lever links 15.The use of these levers 15 provides for connection of the front linksthrough the links 17, with the truck near a point midway of the frontand rear ends of the truck and this provides for a better balance andchecking of the jack-knifing tendency, than when the front links areconnected with points near the front end of the truck. Further, itshould be noted that the points of connection of the front and'rear linkand bed frame, when the bed is raised, lie over and substantially inline with the pivot points 19 which are near the center of the truck andthat but a slight variation of this disposition of the front link pivotson the bed frame occurs when the bed is extended for use. When the bedis in extended position the front links '2' extend almost vertically,there being a slight rearward disposition of the lower end of the bedwhereby the weight is thrust towards the center of the truck. Thus,through the links '7 and rear links 10, lever links 15 and links 17, theweight thrusts are directed to a common point on the truck near thepivots 18, there being at this time a V formation of said links and aninverted V formation including the lower parts of the rear links.

I claim:

1. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, frontand rear links connected to said bed frame, means pivotally connectingthe rear links with said truck, links pivotally connected at their endsto the front and rear links, and links pivotally connected at certainends to a point between the ends of the last named links and connectedat their other ends with said truck.

2. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, frontand rear links connected to said bed frame, means pivotally connectingthe rear links with said truck, and links pivotally connecting the frontand rear links with one another and with said truck, the connectingpoints of the front links and bed frame being in front of the connectingpoints of the front link and last named links when the bed is front ofall pivotal points of the truck when the bed is in extended position.

4. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, frontlinks and angular rear links connected to said bed frame, meanspivotally connecting the rear links with said truck, and links pivotallyconnecting the front and rear links with one another and with saidtruck, the last named links and portions of the rear links beingsubstantially aligned when the bed is in extended position.

5. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, frontand rear links connected to said bed frame, means pivotally connectingthe rear links with said truck, and links pivotally connecting the frontand rear links with one another and with said truck, the points ofconnection of the rear links with the frame and with the last namedlinks being substantially aligned with the points of connection of thelast named links with said truck when the frame is in extended position.

6. In a roll-about foldable bed, an upendable bed frame, a trucktherefor, rear links pivotally connected with the frame and with saidtruck, front links pivoted to the frame, links pivoted at their ends tothe ends and intermediate portions of the front and rear linksrespectively, and means for connecting the last named links intermediatetheir ends with the truck.

7. In a roll-about foldable bed, an upendable bed frame, a trucktherefor, rear links pivotally connected with the frame and with saidtruck, front links pivoted to the frame, links pivoted at their ends tothe ends and intermediate portions of the front and rear linksrespectively, and means for connecting the last named links with thetruck comprising links pivoted at their upper ends to points between theends of the last named links and pivoted at their lower ends to saidtruck.

8, In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, rearlinks connected to said frame and truck, front links connected to saidframe, and means of pivotal connection between the front and rear linksand having a pivotal connection with both front and rear links and witha point forwardly of all other connecting points on said truck, saidmeans of connection including a lever acting to counterbalance the bedframe on movement thereof relative to said truck.

9. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, rearlinks connected to said frame and truck, front links connected to saidframe, and means of pivotal connection between the front and rear linksand having a pivotal connection with both front and rear links and witha point forwardly of all other connecting points on said truck, saidmeans of con-- nection including a bodily movable lever acting tocounterbalance the bed frame on movement thereof, relative to saidtruck.

10. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, rearlinks connected to said frame and truck, front links connected to saidframe, means of pivotal connection between the front and rear links andhaving a pivotal connection with both front and rear links and withpoint forwardly of all other connecting points on said truck, said meansof connection including a bodily movable lever acting to counterbalancethe bed frame on movement thereof relative to said truck, and a linksupporting said lever and pivoted to said truck.

11. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame,substantially L shaped rear links connected to said frame and truck,front links connected to said frame, means of pivotal connection betweenthe front and rear links having a pivotal connection with both front andrear links and with a point forwardly of all other connecting points onsaid truck, said means of connection including a bodily movable leveracting to counterbalance the bed frame on movement of said framerelative to said truck, and a link supporting said lever and pivoted tosaid truck.

12. In a foldable roll-about bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, frontand rear links connected to the truck and frame, and means providing acommon connecting point of said truck with the front and rear links neara point substantially midway of the ends of said truck, and otherconnecting points of the rear links and truck located close to the rearend of said truck.

13. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, frontand rear links connected to said bed frame, means pivotally connectingthe rear links with said truck, and links pivotally connecting the frontand rear links with one another and with said truck, the connectingpoints of the front links with the frame being over and in arrears ofthe connecting points of the last named links and truck when the bed isin upended position.

14. In a roll-about foldable bed, a truck, an upenda-ble bed frame, rearlinks connected to said frame and truck, front links connected to saidframe, and means providing for a pivotal connection of both front andrear links with a common point on said truck, said point being below andin front of the connecting point of the front link and bed frame whenthe latter is upended.

15. In a foldable roll-about bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, andfront and rear links connected with said bed frame, means pivotallyconnecting the rear links with said truck, and links pivotallyconnecting the front and rear links with one another and with saidtruck, the connecting points of the front links with said frame beingforward of all connecting points of said links with the truck when theframe is extended, yet being spaced rearwardly from a vertical planepassing through the front end of the truck.

16. In a foldable rollabout bed, a truck, an upendable bed frame, frontand rear links connected with said frame, means pivotally connecting therear links with the truck, and links pivotally connecting the front andrear links with one another and with said truck, the connecting pointsof the front links and frame being forward of the connecting points ofthe front links and truck when the bed is extended, the connectingpoints of said front link and truck being nearer a point midway of theends of the truck than to the front end of the truck, the connectingpoints of the rear links and said truck being at the rear edges of thelatter, the connecting points of the rear links with the frame being onvertical planes passing through the truck between the two truckconnecting points of the front and rear link when the bed is in eitherof its position.

GORDON F. CANE.

